St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1887-07-02
THE CAPTURED FLAGS.
An Order for Their Return Given Ont and
Then Revoked.

All ofder Tor Their Return Given Out and
Then Revoked.
Inc question Of the return of the captured
confederate ti"rs to the States whence they
originally came was presented to the Presi-
dent by the following letter.
War department, 4djutant. Generals Of
fee, Washington, April 30, 4 l8S7.-Hon.
William {. Endicott, Secretary of War-Sir:
l nave the honor to state that there are
now IN this office (stored in one of the
attic rooms of the building) a number
of Union flags captured in action, brr
recovered on the fall of the Confederacv
and forwarded to the War Department
for safe keeping, together with a mum
Der of Confederate flags, which the for
tunes of war placed III our hands
during the late civil war. While III
been taken on application properly SUI
ported, for the return Of Union flags to or
CARNATIONS representing survivors of the
b military regiments i'll the service of the GOV
eminent, beg to submit that it would be a
graceful act to anticipate future requests of
TINS nature, and venture to suggest the
prOpriety of returning all the flags UTnion
and Cunte,ierate) to the authorities of the
respective States in which the regiments
which bore these ColOrS We're organized for
such final disposition as they may determine
While in all Of the civilized nations of the
Old World trophies taken III wars against
foreign enemies have been carefully pre-
served and exhibited. as proud mementncs of
the nations military glories, wise and OBJ
vlous reasons have always excepted from
the rule evidences Of past internecne
troubles which, by appeals to the arbitration
of the sword, have disturbed the peaceful
march of people TO its destiny. Over
twenty years have elapsed since the terIui
nation of the late civil war. Many Of the
prominent leaders, civil and military, of the
late Confederate States are now honored rep
resentatlves of the people in the national
councils, or in other eminent positions lend
the aid Of their talents to the wise admins
tration of the affairs of the whole country,
and the people Of the several States Compos-
ing the Union are now united, treading the
broader road to glorious future. Impressed
with these facts | have The honor to submit
the suggestion made in this letter for the
careful consideration it will receive at your
hands. Very truly yours,
"R. G. DRUM, Adjutant General"
This letter was submitted to the President
by the Secretary of War and subsequently
was Endorsed as follows:
"War Department, May &c, 1sS7.-The within
recommendation is approved by the Pres-
dent. and the adjutant general will prepare
letters to governors of those States whose
troops carried the colors and flags now in
this department, with the offer to return
them as herein proposed, the history of each
flag and the circumstance of its capture or
recapture to be given. .
"WM. c. ENDIcoTT,
Secretary of War;
The subsequent action of the President
was expressed in the following letter to the
Secretary of War on June 16:
Il have to-day considered with more care
than when the subject was orally presented
me the action of your department directing
letters to be addressed to the governors of
all the States offering to return, If desired, to
the loyal States, the Union flags captured
during the war of the rebellion by the Con-
federate forces and afterward recovered by
government troops; and to the Confed-
crate States the flags captured by
the Union forces, all of which for
many years have been packed in
boxes and stored in the cellar and attic of
the War Department | am of the opinion
that the return of the flags in the manner
thus contemplated is not authorized by ex-
isting law, nor justified as an executive act.
l request, therefore, that no further steps be
taken in the matter except to examine and
inventory the flags and adopt the proper
measures for their preservation. Any di-
rection as to the final disposition of them
should originate with Congress.
yours truly,
"GROyER CLEVELAND